Abstract: A tape guide assembly and tape drive system including the same comprise a roller guide adapted for engaging a tape wrapped around at least a portion of an outer surface thereof, and at least one support for lifting the tape from the roller guide.

Abstract: A cartridge storage device for a data storage and retrieval system according to one embodiment comprises a housing having a front and a back positioned on opposite ends of the housing; a plurality of cells in the housing, each cell adapted for receiving a media cartridge, and a drive mechanism for selectively driving the cells towards a front opening in the front of the housing, the front opening allowing insertion and retrieval of the cartridges from the cells.

Abstract: A data recording disk drive has one or more capacitive sensors for sensing out-of-plane vibration of the disk or disks. The sensors are attached to a support structure that is attached to the disk drive housing. Each sensor is associated with a disk and faces a surface of the disk near the outer perimeter of the disk and close to the recording head. The support structure can be made of a metal or a high-strength plastic and can be a separate structure mounted to the housing, or integrated as part of the single-piece housing casting. If it is metallic, as would be the case if it were integrated with the housing, then layers of insulating material separate the sensors from the support structure. A support structure that serves other functions in the disk drive, such as support for disk damping plates, can also function as the support structure for the capacitive sensors.

Abstract: A data recording disk drive has one or more capacitive sensors for sensing out-of-plane vibration of the disk or disks. The sensors are attached to a support structure that is attached to the disk drive housing. Each sensor is associated with a disk and faces a surface of the disk near the outer perimeter of the disk and close to the recording head. The support structure can be made of a metal or a high-strength plastic and can be a separate structure mounted to the housing, or integrated as part of the single-piece housing casting. If it is metallic, as would be the case if it were integrated with the housing, then layers of insulating material separate the sensors from the support structure. A support structure that serves other functions in the disk drive, such as a support for air dams that extend between the disks, can also function as the support structure for the capacitive sensors.

Abstract: A clamp device that clamps a disc onto a spindle motor that rotates the disc includes a clamp ring stacked on the disc and clamps the disc onto the spindle motor, a screw that fixes the clamp ring onto the spindle motor, and an axial force adjuster that nonlinearly changes a relationship between a tightening force of the screw and an axial force actually applied to the disc, and includes an elastic part that has a spring constant smaller than that of the clamp ring.

Abstract: An adaptive spindle motor startup method includes applying an internal driving voltage to a disk drive, sensing an internal temperature of the disk drive, and controlling the startup of a spindle motor by adjusting a startup factor related to a startup current applied to the spindle motor corresponding to the sensed temperature. Thus, the delay of time to reach a target rotation rate is prevented in the spindle motor in an extreme environment, for example at temperatures lower or higher than 25° C. The overall startup time is efficiently optimized through the improvement of the startup method of the spindle motor.

Abstract: Disk clamp including a disk clamp base and a disk clamp platform. Disk pack including at least one disk coupled between disk clamp and spindle motor. Hard disk drive including disk pack mounted on disk base. Manufacturing methods for disk clamp base, disk clamp platform, disk pack and hard disk drive, and these items as products of their manufacturing processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to direct current (“DC”) pre-erasing servo channels of a magnetic tape prior to writing servo data in a servo channel. The present invention particularly relates to those servo recordings which were written with a uni-polar current waveform. The DC pre-erase is performed using a uni-polar direct current of a polarity that is opposite to the polarity of the direct current used to write the servo data. This pre-erase may be done with one or more heads. Also, as will be described, the pre-erase of a servo channel and writing to a servo channel may be done by making two passes over a single head or by using two or more heads to perform both steps. Also, it is within the scope of the present invention to have the heads mounted on a single mount or have the heads on separate mounts and on separate tape decks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to forming a head with reduced pole tip recession. According to one embodiment, a pole tip element is formed from a platinum containing material. During diamond like carbon (DLC) processing, hydrogen and hydrogen containing compounds are removed from a vacuum plasma processing environment that contains the head so that an amount of material that is removed from the pole tip element and other non-platinum containing elements associated with the head are approximately the same.

Abstract: A magnetic structure for use in a perpendicular magnetic write head that prevents magnetic domain formation and reduces magnetic remanence in the structure. The magnetic structure includes magnetic layers sandwiched between thin non-magnetic layers. Each of the magnetic layers includes a relatively thicker layer of CoFe sandwiched between relatively thinner layers of NiFe.

Abstract: A tape drive system includes a magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic tape over the head, and an ion generating device for providing ions in a vicinity of the tape, the ions being adsorbed onto the tape surface, which may include being absorbed by water on the tape. Ions dissolved in the water promote corrosion of metallic accumulations on the head.

Abstract: An exemplary magnetic head assembly for use with magnetic recording media is provided. In one example, a head includes a data island associated with at least one data transducer, the data island having a width along a direction of media transport and a radius of curvature. The magnetic head further includes a mini-outrigger placed adjacent to the data island and separated by a void, wherein a width of the mini-outrigger along the direction of media transport is less than the width of the data island. Additionally, in one example, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger is less than the radius of curvature of the data island. The wrap angle of magnetic storage tape to the data island may be less than 3 degrees. Further, the radius of curvature of the mini-outrigger may be less than one-half the radius of curvature of the data island.

Abstract: A data storage medium for perpendicular recording has a substrate and a ferromagnetic layer on the substrate for storing data bits. The ferromagnetic layer has a plurality of elongate grains of magnetizable material extending perpendicular to the substrate which form magnetic domains representative of data. Each magnetic domain is separated from adjacent magnetic domains by a bit edge domain wall region. Each elongate grain has a perpendicular height that is greater than a width of the bit edge domain wall region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin-film read element for use in reading magnetic signals from a device. The read element includes a first thin-film read sensor and a second thin-film read sensor that are each configured to convert the magnetic signals of the device to electrical signals.

Abstract: To provide patterned media having novel structure. Plural convex members 2991 are provided in an array form on a substrate 2990. The convex member has a shape such that the cross section at each plane in parallel to the substrate tapers toward the substrate. Magnetic recording layers 2992 are provided on upper parts 2993 of the convex members so that they are not in contact with each other between the adjacent upper surface parts.

Abstract: A HGA includes a slider and a suspension for supporting the slider. The suspension includes a load beam, a base plate, and a flexure, which are assembled together. The flexure has a suspension tongue with a suspension through hole defined therein at a position corresponding to a center of the slider mounted on the suspension tongue. A dimple is provided to connect the suspension tongue and the load beam. The dimple has a first bump, a second bump and a shaft connecting the first and the second bumps. The shaft of the dimple extends through the suspension through hole to limit the suspension tongue between the first and the second bumps. Meanwhile, a manufacturing method of the HGA and a disk drive unit with the HGA are disclosed.

Abstract: A ramp for a polyoxymethylene hard resin disk drive, which has an outgas level of not more than 20 ?g/g. The ramp for a polyoxymethylene resin hard disk drive comprises the steps of providing an extruder, melt kneading a polyoxymethylene resin with a colorant while degassing through one or more vents under a reduced pressure of ?0.06 Mpa or less to prepare polyoxymethylene resin pellets, and injection molding the polyoxymethylene resin pellets, washing the molding with a solvent, and drying the molding.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a ramp which holds a tip end of an arm at a position away from a disk, and a slit shroud having an airflow control plate. A side surface of the airflow control plate is opposed to a side surface of the disk, the airflow control plate spreads to a position where the airflow control plate is superposed on the tip end of the arm held by the ramp. The airflow control plate has the same thickness as that of the disk, and is flush with the disk 12.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including a recording head having an actuator and operable to perform recording on a recording medium by an operation of the actuator, a head holder holding the recording head, a circuit board having a heat-conductive substrate and provided on the head holder, a drive circuit operable to drive the actuator, a flexible wiring member on which the drive circuit is mounted and which connects the circuit board and the actuator such that a signal outputted from the circuit board is transmitted to the actuator via the drive circuit, and a radiator plate provided on the head holder, held in heat conductive contact with the drive circuit, and also held in heat conductive contact with the circuit board.

Abstract: Actuator arm includes an island coupling through a mote to at least two of actuator base, first and second actuator arm bridge. Head stack including at least one actuator arm. Head stack assembly including head stack. Hard disk drive including head stack assembly. Manufacturing methods for actuator arm, head stack, head stack assembly, and hard disk drive, and the products of these processes.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device comprises a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) connecting to a bit line to a sense line through an isolation transistor. The MTJ includes a ferromagnetic layer having a magnetic hard axis. An assist current line overlies the bit line and is insulated from the bit line. The MTJ is switchable between a first, relatively high resistance state and a second, relatively low resistance state. The assist current line applies a magnetic field along the magnetic hard axis in the ferromagnetic layer, independently of current flow through the MTJ for assisting switching of the MTJ between the first and second states.

Abstract: An Extraordinary Magnetoresistive Sensor (EMR Sensor) having wide voltage lead tabs for reduced noise and increased signal to noise ratio. The leads can be formed in a triad structure, wherein a pair of voltage leads is located at either side of a current lead, or can be formed in a diad structure having a single voltage lead located at one side of a current lead.

Abstract: A method of forming a plating film capable of improving magnetic properties is provided. A photoresist pattern, having a first opening with an aspect ratio greater than 1 and a second opening with an aspect ratio smaller than that of the first opening, is formed on a surface of a substrate. A seed film is formed to cover an exposed surface of the substrate in the openings and an inner wall of the photoresist pattern in the openings. On the seed film in the openings, the plating film of magnetic material is deposited such that the first opening is filled under application of a magnetic field in the direction intersecting the surface of the substrate, and the second opening is filled under application of the magnetic field in the direction along the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A structure for preventing Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) damage to a magnetoresistive sensor during manufacture. The structure includes a switching element that can be switched off during testing of the sensor and then switched back on to provide ESD shunting to the sensor. The switch can be a thermally activated mechanical relay built onto the slider. The switch could also be a programmable resistor that includes a solid electrolyte sandwiched between first and second electrodes. One of the electrodes functions as an anode. When voltage is applied in a first direction an ion bridge forms across through the electrolyte across electrodes making the resistor conductive. When a voltage is applied in a second direction, the ion bridge recedes and the programmable resistor becomes essentially non-conductive.

Abstract: A current perpendicular to plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor having a current path defined by first and second overlying insulation layers between which an electrically conductive lead makes content with a surface of the sensor stack. The current path being narrower than the width of the sensor stack allows the outer edges of the sensor stack to be moved outside of the active area of the sensor. This results in a sensor that is unaffected by damage at outer edges of the sensor layers. The sensor stack includes a free layer that is biased by direct exchange coupling with a layer of antiferromagnetic material (AFM layer). The strength of the exchange field can be controlled by adding Cr to the AFM material to ensure that the exchange field is sufficiently weak to avoid pinning the free layer.

Abstract: An exchange-coupling film incorporates an antiferromagnetic layer and a pinned layer. The pinned layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, a third ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic middle layer, and a fourth ferromagnetic layer that are disposed in this order, the first ferromagnetic layer being closest to the antiferromagnetic layer. The first ferromagnetic layer is made of a ferromagnetic material and has a face-centered cubic structure. The second ferromagnetic layer is made of only iron or an alloy containing x atomic % cobalt and (100?x) atomic % iron, wherein x is greater than zero and smaller than or equal to 60. The third ferromagnetic layer is made of an alloy containing y atomic % cobalt and (100?y) atomic % iron, wherein y is within a range of 65 to 80 inclusive. The antiferromagnetic layer and the first ferromagnetic layer are exchange-coupled to each other. The third and fourth ferromagnetic layers are antiferromagnetically coupled to each other.

Abstract: A magnetic memory is provided in which the margin between a write current and a read current can be reduced. A magnetic storage element includes: a first magnetic layer in which the direction of magnetization can be reversed; a second magnetic layer in which the direction of magnetization is fixed; and a non-magnetic layer which is interposed between the first and second magnetic layers. The write current and the read current are supplied to the magnetic storage element in the stacking direction thereof through a read-write line. Moreover, a bias line which can apply a bias magnetic field to the first magnetic layer during a reading operation is disposed in the vicinity of the magnetic storage element.

Abstract: An exemplary LCD (2) includes a control signal input terminal (210) configured for receiving a control signal; an output terminal (220) configured to be connected to a load circuit; a first direct current (DC) power supply (230); a first switching transistor (250) including a control electrode “b” connected to the control signal input terminal, a first current conducting electrode “c” connected to the DC power supply via a first bias resistor, and a second current conducting electrode “e” connected to ground; a second switching transistor (250) including a control electrode “G” connected to the first current conducting electrode of the first switching transistor, a first current conducting electrode “S” connected to the DC power supply, and a second current conducting electrode “D” connected to the output terminal; and a discharging resistor (225) configured to be connected between the output terminal and ground.

Abstract: An anomaly control device for a dual fan of computer is composed of a first and second coil, a first and second driving IC, a controller, and a voltage level comparing circuit. The voltage level comparing circuit will perform a voltage dividing to a first and second reference potential signals input from the first and second driving ICs to obtain a third reference potential signal which is compared with a reference pulse wave signal output from an output end of the first driving IC, to determine to output either a high level pulse voltage signal or a low voltage direct-current signal to the controller for processing. The controller will output a control-gate-on or a control-gate-off signal to the first and second driving ICs for enabling the first and second coils to continue to operate or to stop operating.

Abstract: A surge suppression unit comprises connection circuitry for coupling the surge suppression unit in a communication cable. Surge suppression circuitry uses Silicon Avalanche Diodes (SADs) that couple power surges on the communication cable to ground. In one embodiment, the surge suppression unit includes multiple surge suppression modules configured for inserting into different slots in a same enclosure.

Abstract: An ESD protective circuit having a contact terminal, a first supply voltage terminal for a first supply potential, a second supply voltage terminal for a second supply potential, a transistor chain having several transistors, wherein drain terminals of the transistors are connected to one of the supply voltage terminals, wherein the control terminal of a first transistor of the transistor chain is connected to the other supply voltage terminal, wherein the source terminal of the last transistor of the transistor chain is connected to the contact terminal, and a current source which is connected to a source terminal of at least one of the transistors of the transistor chain and is able to provide a current which compensates, up to a maximum tolerable voltage deviation from the first or second supply potential at the contact terminal, a current flowing into or from the source terminal.

Abstract: A power converter for coupling an electrical machine to an electrical grid, the power converter including a machine side converter and a grid side converter, each side having a plurality of corresponding stages for converting a three-phase electrical signal of the electrical machine to a three-phase electrical signal of the electrical grid; wherein the machine side converter includes a plurality of single-phase bridges coupled in a series and has at least one coupling for coupling with the electrical machine; wherein the grid side converter includes a plurality of three-phase bridges, each three-phase bridge corresponding to one of the single-phase bridges of the machine side converter; wherein each three-phase bridge is coupled to the primary windings of a respective transformer while the secondary windings of the respective transformer are phase-shifted from the primary windings thereof and are coupled to secondary windings of another respective transformer, thus providing for coupling of the plurality of t

Abstract: The invention provides a device for protecting electrical installations against surges caused in particular by a lightning strike, the device comprising: first and second electrodes (2, 3) between which an electric arc (5) may be generated in a striking area (6); a device (7) for splitting the electric arc (5) situated at a distance from the striking area (6); focusing means (9) adapted to define a divergent space (10) for guiding the electric arc (5) from the striking area (6) towards the splitter device (7), said divergent space (10) having an aperture angle (?); the device being characterized in that the focusing means (9) are shaped so that the aperture angle (?) of the divergent space (10) increases, on average, between the striking area (6) and the splitter device (7).

Abstract: Connection apparatuses are provided, in which at least one isolation transformer comprises a primary coil and a secondary coil each comprising a first end, a second end and a tap, and a high voltage impulse protector is disposed between the primary coil of the isolation transformer and a ground terminal, discharging an overcurrent caused by a high voltage impulse to the ground terminal by point discharge when a high voltage impulse event occurs.

Abstract: A variable trip limit transient blocking unit (TBU) is provided. The variable trip limit transient blocking unit circuit includes a transient blocking unit and a low-pass filter, such as an RC circuit having an RC time constant. The RC circuit is disposed to approximate an integrator operating over periods of time that are short compared to the RC time constant. The RC circuit integrates a signal representing an approximated current flowing through the transient blocking unit and triggers a disconnect threshold in the transient blocking unit when a voltage stored across a capacitor of the RC circuit reaches a predefined limit.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck having a good soaking feature and allowing a wafer to reach a saturation temperature in a short time. The electrostatic chuck (1), which has a platy body (8) provided with a pair of main surfaces, one main surface being used as a mounting surface (8a) for mounting a wafer (W), and an attracting electrode (6) provided on the other main surface or inside the platy body, comprises at least one gas introducing through hole (5) formed so as to pass through the platy body, a gas flow path (8d) formed in the mounting surface by a plurality of mutually separated protrusions (8b) and formed so as to communicate with the above through hole, and an annular wall portion (8c) formed on the outer periphery of the platy body, characterized in that the planar shape of each of the above protrusions consists of four sides and arc-shaped portions connecting the four sides, and the above protrusions are uniformly arranged on the above mounting surface.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck device includes an electrostatic chuck section including a substrate and a power supply terminal for applying a DC voltage to an electrostatic-adsorption inner electrode; and a metal base section fixed to the other main surface of the electrostatic chuck section. Here, a concave portion is formed in the main surface of the metal base section facing the electrostatic chuck section and a dielectric plate is fixed to the concave portion. The dielectric plate and the electrostatic chuck section are adhesively bonded to each other with an insulating adhesive bonding layer interposed therebetween. The dielectric plate and the concave portion are adhesively bonded to each other with an insulating adhesive bonding layer interposed therebetween. The dielectric constant of the insulating adhesive bonding layer is smaller than that of any one of the dielectric plate and the substrate.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck 15 for chucking and supporting a work 20 made of an electrical insulating material includes a chuck body having a positive electrode 12a and a negative electrode 12b formed therein to which positive and negative voltages are applied. An area ratio of the positive electrode 12a and the negative electrode 12b to a chucking surface of the chuck body is in the range of 60% to 90%.

Abstract: The variable capacitance (1) according to the invention is based on a novel principle: a dielectric fluid (20) is placed in the air gap constituted by two capacitor electrodes (12, 14), the fluid being able to be displaced in a direction and outside the cavity (10) formed between said two electrodes (12, 14). Advantageously, the dielectric fluid (20) is displaced according to the principle of communicating vessels, with the presence of a second cavity (30) in fluidic relation with the first cavity. Actuation electrodes (46, 48) in the second cavity (30) induce the deflection of a membrane (44) in order to modify the relative heights of fluidic liquid in the two cavities (10, 30).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming individual thin-film capacitors for embedding inside printed wiring boards or organic semiconductor package substrates, which includes removal of selective portions of the capacitor by sandblasting or other means so that the ceramic dielectric does not come in contact with acid etching solutions.

Abstract: A multilayer capacitor includes a laminate of ceramic layers, and a capacitor unit provided in the laminate. In the multilayer capacitor, the relationships P?Ra and P?W are established, wherein P represents the average projection height of first and second via conductors from the upper surface, Ra represents the surface roughness of the upper surface, and W represents an amount of curvature of the laminate. Further, the projecting portions of the first and second via conductors projecting from the upper surface are buried in first and second external electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, a multi-level thin film capacitor on a ceramic substrate and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The multi-level thin film capacitor (MLC) may include at least one high permittivity dielectric layer between at least two electrode layers, the electrode layers being formed from a conductive thin film material. A buffer layer may be included between the ceramic substrate and the thin film MLC. The buffer layer may have a smooth surface with a surface roughness (Ra) less than or equal to 0.08 micrometers (um).

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor (A) includes a first porous sintered body (1A) made of valve metal, anode conduction members (21A, 21B) electrically connected to the first porous sintered body (1A), surface-mounting anode terminals (3A, 3B) electrically connected to the anode conduction members (21A, 21B), surface-mounting cathode terminals, and a second porous sintered body (1B) made of valve metal and intervening between the first porous sintered body (1A) and the anode conduction members (21A, 21B).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic equipment of a high design property having an optical disc drive mounted thereon and an inexpensive and high-quality opening and closing mechanism for a tray door. The electronic equipment includes a front panel on a front surface of the equipment, and a link 25 rotatably engaged with a tray door 22. The tray door is provided with cams 22b engaged with cam pins 20b provided on the front panel to control the locus of the movement of the tray door. The discharging movement of the tray causes the link to be pushed and rotated by the tray, whereby the tray door is slid to below the tray with its upper design surface left turned upwards in the form of the movement controlled by the rotation of the link and the locus of the cams, and in this manner, the tray door is opened.

Abstract: A mounted electronics system comprises a frame; a chassis coupled to the frame, the chassis having an interior width; at least one sub-module having a width sufficient to fit inside the interior width of the chassis; and a mounting assembly configured to secure the at least one sub-module to the chassis wherein the mounting assembly is coupled to the chassis such that the width of the sub-module is not limited by the location of the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A modular laptop computer for accommodating selective placement and customization of user interface components. The computer includes a cavity having a connection or interface or coupling region, such as a universal serial bus jack for connecting to or mating with a corresponding interface on each component. The interface connections in the cavity are connected to one or more buses for providing an interface between the attached components and a computer processor. In this manner, the components such as keyboards, trackballs, drives, music players and so forth, can all be rearranged within the cavity in the positions of the user's preference.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus has a housing. The housing has a first chamber to house circuit components, a second chamber parted from the first chamber, and a keyboard mounting portion to mount a keyboard. The keyboard mounting portion and second chamber are communicatively connected through a liquid inlet. A liquid outlet opening from the second chamber to the housing is formed below the liquid inlet. The liquid outlet has an opening area larger than the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A hinge assembly includes two connecting bases, a rotating element, two sets of washers, and two locking elements. The connecting base includes a base part and a first ear part. The first ear part has a first shaft hole and a concave opening. The rotating element includes a linking part and two second ear parts. The second ear part has a second shaft hole and a blocking protrusion. The rotating element straddles and is located on two connecting bases. The two blocking protrusions respectively place into two concave openings. The two sets of washers are located on a side of the first ear parts and the two second ear parts. The locking elements insert within the first shaft holes of the two connecting bases, the second shaft holes of the rotating element, and the two sets of washers. Thereby, the two connecting bases are pivoted with the rotating element.

Abstract: A support structure includes a foot piece and an angle control mechanism connected to the foot piece. The angle control mechanism includes a base including an angle-locating pillar, an angle-locating plate and an angle-locating component. The angle-locating plate is pivotally connected to the base in a rotatable manner and fixed to the object. The angle-locating plate has a chute. The angle-locating pillar is disposed inside the chute for constraining a rotating range of the angle-locating plate. The angle-locating component is installed between the base and the angle-locating plate for providing friction force to fix the object and the foot piece in a specific angle while the angle-locating plate is rotating relative to the foot piece.

Abstract: A computer system including a mainframe module, an extended module splitly located from the mainframe module, and an integrated connection cable connected between the mainframe module and the extended module. The mainframe module includes a mainframe system control circuit, a power supply for supplying a power source to the mainframe system control circuit and the extended module, and at least one signal port. The extended module includes a power connection port connecting to the power supply, and at least one signal port connecting to the signal port of the mainframe module and connecting to at least one signal input and output device and a multimedia processing device.